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Galt High valedictorian Darren Whitwood's achievement was a matter of history

By Ripley Howe
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Darren Whitwood

Sometimes when you start out on the right foot, you stay there.

Valedictorian Darren Whitwood, Galt High School's top student for 2003, said he got oriented in his sophomore year, and kept at it.

"We had a history teacher who would seat us by our grades," he said. "We'd compete to get the highest history grade, and somehow that turned into competing to get the highest class rank. It was very, very competitive."

Every quarter, the competitive students in the class would compare grades.

"It was very heated in sophomore year, and in the junior year it was still there," he said. By his senior year, the competition had pretty much dwindled away, but the effects of the early competition lingered.

"We all kind of forgot about it, and this is what happened."

The new graduate said he is keeping his status as valedictorian in perspective.

"It's not that big of a deal," he said. "I think it's a nice achievement, but I learned better things than just how to be on top in high school."

Whitwood, 17, said he wants to work this summer. He plans to attend Pomona College in Claremont in the fall, but is undecided on a major. However, he is leaning towards a major in either English or music.

In the end, he will probably choose English, because there are more job opportunities, Whitwood said, but he wants to keep all of his options open.

"I have no idea what I want to do, but I like writing, and I could really see myself going into journalism, maybe writing for a magazine," he said. "A nice career might be in advertising."

Whitwood is a also a musician and songwriter, and he plays bass guitar at church.

He was in a band with friends for a while, but recently has been writing songs and making home recordings.

Whitwood said he enjoyed his four years at Galt High, but added that he may have one regret.

"It's unfortunate that I was a hermit for too long," he said. He began to socialize more in his senior year, and said he is happy about that.

He said he is not sure why his attitude changed this year, but he does have a theory.

"People got cars," he said. "That's the easiest way to sum it up."

At Galt High, Whitwood acted in school plays, including "Murder on the Nile" and "Romeo and Juliet," where he played the role of Capulet. He said he enjoyed the experience of being in school plays, but has no plans to be an actor.

"In high school, it's a great way to meet people and spend time with them, but I don't think acting is my forte at all," he said.

Whitwood was also a participant in the Relay for Life and in various community service projects.

He earned the honor of being a California Scholastic Federation Sealbearer Lifetime Member.

He is a Bank of America plaque winner, a Buck Scholarship finalist and took Honors at Entrance for St. Mary's College, Honors at Entrance, and a Presidential Scholarship at Loyola Marymount University. He received seven high honors and two honors on the Golden State Exams.

He said he had two most memorable high school experiences: Performing for more than 100 people while playing bass in his band, and participating all of the school plays.

Whitwood is keeping almost all of his future options open.

"All I am sure of is that I want to be a husband and father."